Israeli National Security Minister Blocks Palestinian Officials from East Jerusalem Hospital Ceremony

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir signed an order preventing a ceremony for the inauguration of a maternity ward in an East Jerusalem hospital due to the planned attendance of senior Palestinian Authority officials. Following the order, representatives from the Prime Minister's Office contacted police officials to request that the event proceed, citing the expected presence of diplomats from the United Arab Emirates, including the UAE ambassador to Israel. The Prime Minister's Office expressed concern about a potential diplomatic crisis with the UAE if police were forced to differentiate between Palestinian Authority representatives and diplomats or forcibly remove attendees.

Despite these appeals, Ben-Gvir, who holds the legal authority to issue such orders, insisted that the event be canceled entirely if Palestinian Authority officials attended. Police conveyed this directive to the hospital management, warning that the presence of senior Palestinian figures would lead to the immediate closure of the ceremony. Subsequently, a senior advisor to the UAE ambassador contacted Ben-Gvir directly to seek a solution allowing the event to continue. During their conversation, and at Ben-Gvir's insistence, the advisor committed that no Palestinian Authority personnel would be permitted entry.

Ben-Gvir's office later stated, "Terrorist PLO members have no place in Jerusalem." They described the event as demonstrating that sovereignty, governance, and strength can be asserted without harming relations with friendly countries like the UAE. The incident highlighted the Israeli government's firm stance on Palestinian Authority presence in Jerusalem while maintaining diplomatic ties with the Emirates.